System and method for enhanced electronic networked settlement processor

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for settlement and delivery of cash settled futures contracts overlying open-ended mutual fund shares with optional delivery of mutual fund shares when physical settlement is elected. On the last date of the contract, a party which has an open position in the contract tenders the clearing organization a request to elect optional physical settlement of a specified number of shares of the mutual fund in additional to the standard cash settlement of those contracts. The clearing organization, upon acceptance and when it is certain of the requestor&#39;s final position in the futures contract, processes the election request against the requestor&#39;s final position and possibly submits an order on behalf of the requestor to the investment company which manages the mutual fund to purchase or redeem shares of the open-ended mutual fund in a quantity roughly the size of the requestor&#39;s final contract position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Disclosed herein is a system and method for operating an enhancedelectronic networked settlement processing system that improves theefficiency of a settlement process. Specifically, the system and methodimproves on the processors used for settlement and delivery of cashsettled futures contracts by incorporating a processing module thataccommodates a physical settlement.

BACKGROUND

The system and method described below relate, in general, to processorsutilized in a marketplace for the automated (electronic) or manualtrading of Futures Contracts on Open-Ended Mutual Funds (OEMFs) and,more particularly, to a system and method for enhancing processorsutilized in the settlement and delivery against such contracts.

In the past two decades, there has been extraordinary growth in both thenumber of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) available for trading and thetrading activity in those ETFs. ETFs are governed by the Securities Actof 1933 (“1933 Act”). Closed-end Mutual Funds (CEMFs) are also governedby the 1933 Act. OEMFs are governed by the Investment Company Act of1940 (“1940 Act”).

ETFs offer an attractive investment and trading alternative to OEMFs forseveral reasons.

First, ETFs and CEMFs trade through the trading day. This permits thepurchase or sale price of an ETF or CEMF transaction to be determined atthe time of transaction. OEMFs do not trade throughout the trading day.

All transactions in OEMFs are done with the Investment Company thatmanages the OEMF taking the opposite side of the transaction. OEMFtransactions are always priced at the net asset value (NAV) which iscalculated by the Investment Company at the end of the trading day. Atthe end of each business day, the difference between the number ofshares of an OEMF that investors (in aggregate) wish to purchase minusthe number of shares that investors (in aggregate) wish to redeem (sell)is the net demand for shares in that OEMF. The Investment Company standsready to purchase or sell a sufficient number of shares in the OEMFs tomeet the net demand at the end of each trading day. However, there is nomarket in shares of OEMFs during trading hours which would permit aninvestor to establish a known price for a transaction at the time of thetransaction.

ETFs and CEMFs trade throughout the trading day. ETF transactions arepriced based on supply and demand at the time of the transaction similarto the pricing of transactions in common stocks, preferred stocks,CEMFs, and other equity securities. In the trading of ETFs, there is noparty analogous to an Investment Company which always stands ready topurchase or sell ETF shares at a calculated price

Second, OEMFs and ETFs can have significantly different cost structures.

There can be considerable distribution charges related to buying orholding a position in a Mutual Fund. These are governed by Section 12b-1of the 1940 Act. A given OEMF may have several classes of stock—eachwith its own set of Section 12b-1 distribution charges. As a result,different classes of stock in the same Mutual Fund may have differentNAVs. Section 12b-1 distribution charges are paid by the OEMF and,therefore, are borne by the investors in the OEMF. The Section 12b-1distribution charges are in addition to the Investment Company's fee formanaging the OEMF. Section 12b-1 distribution charges can significantlyreduce the return on investment in an OEMF.

ETFs have no equivalent to a Section 12b-1 distribution chargesince—unlike OEMFs—they are not sold through distribution channels. ETFsdo, however, have a management fee similar to that of OEMFs.

Third, unlike ETFs and CEMFs, it is not possible to carry a shortposition in an OEMF.

There is no provision in the 1940 Act which support establishing ormaintaining a short position. The only position that an investor mayhave in an OEMF is a long position. One cannot sell more shares in anOEMF than one owns. It is not possible to make a short sale of an OEMFbecause there is no way to borrow shares of the OEMF to deliver againsta short sale.

ETF and CEMF shares can be sold short because they can be borrowed anddelivered by the party making a short sale. This is an important factorin the trading of ETFs because it provides an arbitrage mechanism toassure that the market price of ETFs tracks the NAV of the ETF. Toassure that ETF shares will track the NAV of the ETF, ETFs haveprovisions for certain parties to create or redeem ETF shares by meansof swapping the assets underlying the ETF in exchange for ETF shares.This and the ability to sell short promotes and encourages paritybetween the market price and NAV of the ETF.

These three differences between ETFs and OEMFs described above give riseto a competitive threat that ETFs have made against more traditionalinvestment in OEMFs. However, a more recent product introduction makesthat threat even stronger.

The most recent innovation in ETF products has been the introduction ofexchange-traded managed funds (ETMFs). Prior to ETMFs, most ETFs weredesigned to track a specific index or commodity. For example, GLD wasdesigned to track the spot price of gold bullion. SLV was designed totrack the spot price of silver bullion. SPY was designed to track thevalue of the Standard & Poor's 500 index. Inverse ETFs are designed totrack of the percentage rate of return of a short position in theunderlying index or commodity. Leveraged ETFs are designed to track amultiple of the percentage price movement of an associated commodity orindex. Until the introduction of ETMFs, ETFs did not compete directlywith OEMFs because they did not offer the allure of having aprofessional investment manager selecting the components of the fund andattempting to outperform the market.

ETMFs—like OEMFs—are not designed to track a specific commodity orindex. They are designed to achieve their investment objective whileallowing the ETMF manager the flexibility to determine which financialinstruments are included in the ETMF, the investment mix in the variousthe financial instruments held by the ETMF, and whether long or shortpositions are held in various financial instruments. In this regard,ETMFs are much more like OEMFs and pose a direct competitive threat onthe ability of OEMFs to compete for investment dollars.

On top of the three historical differences between ETFs and OEMFsdescribed above, active management of ETFs poses an immediatecompetitive threat to traditional OEMFs and the Investment Companieswhich offer them.

The systems and methods described herein level the playing field betweenETFs (and ETMFs, in particular) and OEMFs.

Definitions & Acronyms

The following definitions and acronyms are utilized in the followingdescription.

1933 Act The Securities Act of 1933. 1934 Act The Securities ExchangeAct of 1934. 1938 Act The Commoditv Exchange Act of 1938. 1940 Act IheInvestment Compnany Act of 1940. Clearing Member An organization whichcarries the accounts of Holders and Writers of OEMF Futures Contractsand is a participant in the Clearing Organization which clears thoseOEMF Futures Contracts. Clearing An organization which records,maintains, margins, and effects Organization delivery and settlementagainst long and short positions in a financial instrument such as anOEMF Futures Contract or an OEMF Option Contract. Clearing Organizationstypically serve as intermediaries between buyers and sellers so that(after the initial transaction) the buyer and the seller are no longerdirectly bound to each other in the contract and guarantee performanceunder such contracts. CEMF A Mutual Fund with a fixed number of shares.Unlike OEMFs, may be (Closed-Ended listed and traded on a nationalsecurities exchange which is registered Mutual Fund) under the 1934 Act.Cutoff Date to The date on which the Cutoff Time to Elect OptionalPhysical Elect Optional Settlement occurs. Physical Settlement CutoffTime to The Clearing Organization will set a cutoff time to elect optionphysical Elect Optional settlement of each OEMF Futures Contract. TheClearing Organization Physical member representing the Holder of a longposition or Writer of a short Settlement position in OEMF FuturesContracts must provide the Clearing Organization notice of election foroptional physical settlement prior to this time. The ClearingOrganization will set this time sufficiently prior to the InvestmentCompany's cutoff time to submit orders to purchase or redeem OEMF sharesthrough the optional physical delivery mechanism so that the ClearingOrganization can submit such orders to the Investment Company in atimely manner. ETF (Exchange A member of an asset class which is listedunder the 1933 Act and Traded Fund) traded on a national securitiesexchange which is registered under the 1934 Act. ETMF (Exchange Anexchange-traded fund with a manager making decisions on the TradedManaged underlying portfolio allocation or otherwise not following apassive Fund) investment strategy. Although an ETMF will have abenchmark index, managers may change sector allocations, market-timetrades or deviate from the index as they see fit, thereby producinginvestment returns that will not perfectly mirror the underlying index.Futures Contract Typically, a contract calling for delivery of aspecified quantity of an asset or cash at a specified future date.Futures Contracts trade on an exchange established under the 1938 Act.For the purpose of this document, this term shall also include ForwardContracts which are traded over-the-counter. Holder A party which has aSong position in an OEMF Futures Contract or OEMF Option Contract.Investment A company formed under and operating under the InvestmentCompany Company Act of 1940. Investment Companies manage and offerMutual Funds. Mutual Fund A security created by an Investment Companyunder the 1940 Act. NAV (Net Asset The value of a mutual fund that isreached by deducting the fund's Value) liabilities from the market valueof all of its shares and then dividing by the number of issued shares.OEMF (Open- A Mutual Fund which can have a variable number of sharescreated or Ended Mutual destroyed based on supply and demand. OEMFscannot be listed or Fund) traded on a national securities exchange underthe 1934 Act. OEMF Futures Final cash settlement of the terms of an OEMFFutures Contract by Cash Settlement means a cash payment between Holdersand Writers in OEMF Futures Contracts. OEMF Futures Cash Settlement iseffected by the Clearing Organization which records all long and shortpositions. All OEMF Futures Contracts employ final cash settlement atthe OEMF Futures Cash Settlement Price which is the same as the OEMFFutures Physical Settlement Price. OEMF Futures The OEMF Futures CashSettlement Price is determined for a given Cash Settlement OEMF FuturesContract. The OEMF Futures Cash Settlement Price is Price the same asthe OEMF Futures Physical Settlement Price for the same the OEMF FuturesContract. OEMF Futures A Futures Contract which calls for delivery ofcash based on the NAV Contract of the OEMF as well as the optionalpurchase or redemption of OEMF shares at the NAV on the OEMF FuturesCash Settlement Date. OEMF Futures An optional settlement feature ofOEMF Futures Contracts which can Physical be independently elected byHolders and Writers of OEMF Futures Settlement Contracts in addition tothe mandatory OEMF Futures Cash Settlement. Prior to the OEMF FuturesPhysical Settlement Notice Deadline, the Holder or Writer of a positionin OEMF Futures Contracts can notify the Clearing Organization of theelection to employ the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement feature. Ifelected by a Holder of one or more OEMF Futures Contracts, the ClearingOrganization will submit an order for the Holder to purchase thecorresponding number of shares of the underlying OEMF from theInvestment Company at the NAV on the OEMF Last Trading Date. If electedby a Writer of one or more OEMF Futures Contracts, the ClearingOrganization will submit an order for the Writer to redeem thecorresponding number of shares of the underlying OEMF to the InvestmentCompany at the NAV on the OEMF Last Trading Date. Holders and Writersmay elect optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement for some or all oftheir OEMF Futures position. OEMF Futures The OEMF Futures PhysicalSettlement Price is the NAV of the OEMF Physical shares at the time atwhich the optional physical settlement of OEMF Settlement Price FuturesContract takes place. Depending on the embodiment of this businessmethod, this price will most commonly be based on either the openingprices of the components of the OEMF shares or the closing prices of thecomponents of the OEMF shares applying the NAV calculation methodologydescribed above. OEMF Futures The last time at which the ClearingOrganization will accept notice from the Holder or Writer of an OEMFFutures Contract to elect the Physical optional OEMF Futures PhysicalSettlement of some or all of the Settlement Notice Holder or WritersOEMF Futures Contract position. The Clearing Deadline Organization willset this time so that there is sufficient time to inform the InvestmentCompany that a purchase or redemption will take place based exercisingthe optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process. OEMF Last Thelast date on which an OEMF Futures Contract is scheduled to be TradingDate available for trading. Writer A party that has a short position inan OEMF Futures Contract or an OEMF Option Contract.

SUMMARY

A system and method are described below for settlement and deliveryagainst OEMF Futures Contracts which support the creation of amarketplace for intraday trading in Futures Contracts overlying OEMFsand which can result in the purchase or redemption of OEMF shares.Although CEMF shares can be listed and traded on a national securitiesexchange, there is no provision in the law which permits listing andtrading of OEMF shares on a national securities exchange to provide anintraday trading market in OEMF shares. The proposed marketplace forintraday trading in OEMF Futures Contracts employs known techniquesutilized to support intraday trading of other Futures Contracts. Thepresent disclosure provides a system and method to settle OEMF FuturesContracts with an option OEMF Futures Physical Settlement in addition tothe mandatory cash settlement features of OEMF Futures Contracts.

The services of a Clearing Organization are required to provide supportfor intraday trading in any Futures Contract. These include servicessuch as transaction settlement, recording and recordkeeping related toall open positions, margining open positions, delivery, and settlement.The Clearing Organization for the presently described system provides anew, optional delivery and settlement system and method: OEMF FuturesPhysical Settlement. This optional delivery and settlement system andmethod are the focus herein.

In an embodiment of the present invention discussed this document, OEMFFutures Contracts would be based on the value of, e.g., 100 shares ofthe underlying OEMF and would be quoted and trade in increments of $0.01per share.

All OEMF Futures Contracts have a mandatory cash settlement featurewhich values the OEMF Futures Contract at 100 times the NAV of theunderlying OEMF as calculated by the Investment Company at the close ofbusiness on the OEMF Futures Last Trading Date.

In addition, Holders and Writers (collectively “owners”) of OEMF FuturesContracts—acting independent of each other—may elect to also have aphysical settlement (purchase or redemption) of the underlying OEMF forsome of all of their OEMF Futures Contracts. If a Holder (Writer) of anOEMF Futures Contracts also elects physical settlement of the OEMFFutures Contract, the Clearing Organization would initiate a transactionbetween the Holder (Writer) and the Investment Company wherein theHolder (Writer) purchases (redeems) 100 shares of the underlying OEMFfrom (with) the Investment Company at the NAV price calculated by theInvestment Company at the close of business on the OEMF Futures LastTrading Date.

A feature is the ability to establish a price for the purchase orredemption of OEMF shares by entering into an intraday transaction witha party other than the Investment Company. Furthermore, if thetransaction leads to the purchase of OEMF shares, the shares purchasedwill be in a class of OEMF shares for which there will be no Section12b-1 distribution charges.

In an implementation of the invention, a method is provided foroperating an enhanced electronic networked settlement processing system,comprising providing a clearing organization having a computer systemprocessor, memory, and a communications network interface, creating andstoring open ended mutual fund (OEMF) data related to an OEMF in amemory communicatively coupled with the network interface of theclearing organization, the stored OEMF data structured to comprise datarelated to fund assets and a plurality of fund shares having a valuerelated to the fund assets, creating and storing OEMF futures contract(FC) data related to an OEMF FC in the memory by an owner who is awriter or a holder, the OEMF FC data for the OEM FC covering: a) aplurality of contract shares of the fund shares, which constitutes acontract size; b) a contract settlement date; and c) contract settlementterms, utilizing a processor of the clearing organization to executeinstructions of a settlement module, comprising if a current date is thecontract settlement date, then setting today's contract share value tobe equal to the OEMF net asset value (NAV) that is calculated bydeducting the OEMF's liabilities from its assets and dividing by anumber of the OEMF's issued shares at a time specified in the contractterms, otherwise, if a current date is not the contract settlement date,then setting today's contract share value to be equal to a dailysettlement price, calculating a share value change as a differencebetween today's contract share value and a prior day's share value foran OEMF share, for each long position OEMF FC in each account increasinga cash balance in that account by the contract size times the sharevalue change, for each short OEMF FC in each account decreasing a cashbalance in that account by the contract size times the share valuechange, if a current date is the contract settlement date, then for eachlong position OEMF FC in each account, reducing the long position by onefutures contract, for each short OEMF FC in each account, reducing thelong position by one futures contract, sending a message over thecommunications network by a clearing member computer associated with theaccount to a server computer of a clearing organization requesting anelection for an optional OEMF FC physical settlement (PS) of a requestednumber of shares to be exchanged, utilizing a processor of the clearingorganization to execute instructions of a physical settlement requestmodule, comprising if the message is untimely, then sending a message bythe clearing organization over the communications network rejecting theelection request and terminating the request, otherwise, if the messageis timely, then accepting the election request which supersedes anyprior election request for the same OEMF FC for the account of theowner, and utilizing a processor of the clearing organization to executeinstructions of a physical settlement module, comprising if the owner'sfinal position is improper, then ignoring the election request by theserver computer of the clearing organization and terminating theelection request, terminating execution of the physical settlementmodule, otherwise, if the owner's final position is proper, thenreducing a size of the owner's position to a lesser of a requested andcurrent position computing a final maximum number of shares that theOEMF FC PS may handle as the number of OEMF shares covered by theowner's final position in the OEMF FC, sending, by the clearingorganization, an order to redeem the final number of shares to theinvestment company at the current date's OEMF NAV on behalf of theowner's account, and sending, by the clearing organization, informationto the clearing member regarding the order to redeem.

In another implementation of the invention, a system is provided foroperating an enhanced electronic networked settlement process,comprising a computer system processor, a memory a communicationsnetwork interface, a settlement module comprising instructions stored inthe memory and executable by the processor, a physical settlementrequest module comprising instructions stored in the memory andexecutable by the processor, and a physical settlement module, whereinthe settlement module comprises instructions that create and store openended mutual fund (OEMF) data related to an OEMF in the memorycommunicatively coupled with a network interface of a clearingorganization, the stored OEMF data structured to comprise data relatedto fund assets and a plurality of fund shares having a value related tothe fund assets, create and storing OEMF futures contract (FC) datarelated to an OEMF FC in the memory by an owner who is a writer or aholder, the OEMF FC data for the OEM FC covering: a) a plurality ofcontract shares of the fund shares; b) a contract settlement date; andc) contract settlement terms, utilize a processor of the clearingorganization to execute instructions of a settlement module, comprisingif a current date is the contract settlement date, then set today'scontract share value to be equal to the OEMF net asset value (NAV) thatis calculated by deducting the OEMF's liabilities from its assets anddividing by a number of the OEMF's issued shares at the time specifiedin the contract terms, otherwise, if a current date is not the contractsettlement date, then set today's contract share value to be equal to adaily settlement price, calculate a share value change as a differencebetween today's contract share value and a prior day's last share valuefor an OEMF share, for each long position OEMF FC in each accountincrease a cash balance in that account by the contract size times theshare value change, for each short OEMF FC in each account decrease acash balance in that account by the contract size times the share valuechange, if a current date is the contract settlement date, then for eachlong position OEMF FC in each account, reduce the long position by onefutures contract, for each short OEMF FC in each account, reduce thelong position by one futures contract, send a message over thecommunications network by a clearing member computer associated with theaccount to a server computer of a clearing organization requesting anelection for an optional OEMF FC physical settlement (PS) of a requestednumber of shares to be exchanged, utilize a processor of the clearingorganization to execute instructions of a physical settlement requestmodule, comprising if the message is untimely, then the instructionssend a message by the clearing organization over the communicationsnetwork rejecting the election request and terminate the request,otherwise, if the message is timely, then the instructions accept theelection request which supersedes any prior election request for thesame OEMF FC for the account of the owner, utilize a processor of theclearing organization to execute instructions of a physical settlementmodule, comprising if the owner's final position is improper, then theinstructions ignore the election request by the server computer of theclearing organization and terminating the election request, andterminate execution of the physical settlement module, otherwise, if theowner's final position is proper, then reduce a size of the owner'sposition to a lesser of a requested and current position compute a finalmaximum number of shares that the OEMF FC PS may handle as the number ofOEMF shares covered by the owner's final position in the OEMF FC, send,by the clearing organization, an order to redeem the final number ofshares to the investment company at the current date's OEMF NAV onbehalf of the owner's account, and send, by the clearing organization,information to the clearing member regarding the order to redeem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the system and method describedherein, and for further features and advantages, reference is now madeto the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which include:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating example computer systems andnetworks that may be used for the option OEMF Futures PhysicalSettlement Processor;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an example computer that may be utilizedin the system;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart that shows the mandatory state of the art methodemployed by the Clearing Organization for handling the OEMF Futures CashSettlement which occurs after the close of trading on the OEMF LastTrading Date;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the method and process by which the Holderof an OEMF Futures Contracts may independently request the ClearingOrganization to execute the optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlementprior to the Cutoff Time to Elect Optional Physical Settlement on theOEMF Last Trading Date;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the method and process by which theClearing Organization processes requests to execute the optional OEMFFutures Physical Settlement after the close of trading in an OEMFFutures Contract on the OEMF Last Trading Date;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the method and process by which the Writerof an OEMF Futures Contracts may independently request the ClearingOrganization to execute the optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlementprior to the Cutoff Time to Elect Optional Physical Settlement on theOEMF Last Trading Date; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the method and process by which theClearing Organization processes requests to execute the optional OEMFFutures Physical Settlement after the close of trading in an OEMFFutures Contract on the OEMF Last Trading Date.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of computers and networks (equipment) whichcould be used to process OEMF Futures Contract Physical Settlements.This figure illustrates a configuration of Clearing Organizationcomputer systems which are connected over various networks to (1)Clearing Members who are registered and approved by the ClearingOrganization to maintain one or more accounts with the ClearingOrganization and (2) Investment Companies which manage one or moreMutual Funds with underlying OEMF Futures Contracts.

Systems operated by Clearing Members (101.1 . . . 101.n, orcollectively/example 101) are connected to the Clearing Organization 120through a Communication Network 121 operated by the ClearingOrganization. Clearing Member systems are used—among other things—tosend the Clearing Organization messages requesting election of OEMFFutures Contract Physical. Settlement for accounts which the ClearingMember carries; to receive responses to messages requesting election ofOEMF Futures Contract Physical Settlement; and to receive notificationof orders submitted by the Clearing Organization to Investment Companieswhich manage OEMFs to purchase or redeem OEMF Shares therebyimplementing OEMF Futures Contract Physical Settlement.

Systems operated by Trading Centers offering trading in OEMF FuturesContracts (111.1 . . . 111.n, collectively/example 111) are connected tothe Clearing Organization 120 through a Communication Network 121operated by the Clearing Organization. Trading Center systems providethe Clearing Organization with transaction reports which are used by theClearing Organization to monitor the positions of each trading accountat each Clearing Member in real time. Real time position information foreach trading account at each Clearing Member is valuable to theoperation.

Servers (131.1 . . . 131.n, collectively/example 131) are operated bythe Clearing Organization. These servers receive all messages fromClearing Member systems and Trading Center Systems through the ClearingOrganization's Communication Network 121. These servers process thosemessages for the Clearing Organization.

Systems (151.1 . . . 151.n, collectively/example 151) are operated byInvestment Companies which manage the OEMFs which underlie the OEMFFutures Contracts. Investment Company systems and the ClearingOrganization communicate with each other through a CommunicationsNetwork 141. Investment Company systems are used—among other things—tosend the Clearing Organization periodic, real time calculations of theNAV of each OEMF which underlies the trading of OEMF Futures Contracts;receive orders to purchase or redeem OEMF shares as part of the OEMFFutures Physical Settlement process; and confirm receipt, execution,and/or cancellation of orders to purchase or redeem OEMF shares as partof the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an example internal configuration of acomputing device 200, such as the server 131 shown in FIG. 1A, orclient/server computers within the clearing member 101, trading center111, or investment companies 151 shown in FIG. 1A. Any of thesecomputers may take the form of a computing system including multiplecomputing units, or in the form of a single computing unit, for example,a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a notebookcomputer, a desktop computer, a server computer and the like.

The computing device 160 can include a number of components, asillustrated in FIG. 1B. CPU (or processor) 162 can be a centralprocessing unit, such as a microprocessor, and can include single ormultiple processors, each having single or multiple processing cores.Alternatively, CPU 162 can include another type of device, or multipledevices, capable of manipulating or processing information now-existingor hereafter developed. When multiple processing devices are present,they may be interconnected in any manner, including hardwired ornetworked, including wirelessly networked. Thus, the operations of CPU162 can be distributed across multiple machines that can be coupleddirectly or across a local area or other network The CPU 162 can be ageneral purpose processor or a special purpose processor.

Random Access Memory (RAM 164) can be any suitable non-permanent storagedevice that is used as memory. RAM 164 can include executableinstructions and data for immediate access by CPU 162. RAM 164 typicallycomprises one or more DRAM modules such as DDR SDRAM. Alternatively, RAM164 can include another type of device, or multiple devices, capable ofstoring data for processing by CPU 162 now-existing or hereafterdeveloped. CPU 162 can access and manipulate data in RAM 164 via bus171. The CPU 162 may utilize a cache 163 as a form of localized fastmemory for operating on data and instructions.

Storage 166 can be in the form of read only memory (ROM), a disk drive,a solid state drive, flash memory, Phase-Change Memory (PCM), or anyform of non-volatile memory designed to maintain data for some durationof time, and preferably in the event of a power loss. Storage 166 caninclude executable instructions 166A and application files/data 166Balong with other data. The executable instructions 166A can include, forexample, an operating system and one or more application programs forloading in whole or part into RAM 164 (with RAM-based executableinstructions 164A and application files/data 164B) and to be executed byCPU 162. The executable instructions 166A may be organized intoprogrammable modules or algorithms, functional programs, codes, and codesegments designed to perform various functions described herein.

The term module, as used herein, can be implemented using hardware,software, or a combination thereof. A module may form a part of a largerentity, and may itself be broken into sub-entities. When a module isimplemented using software, this software can be implemented asalgorithmic components comprising program instructions stored in amemory, the instructions designed to be executed on a processor. Theterm “module” does not require any specific form of coding structure,and functional implementations of different modules may be independentbut also may overlap and be performed by common program instructions.For example, a first module and a second module may be implemented usinga common set of program instructions without distinct boundaries betweenthe respective and/or common instructions that implement the first andsecond modules.

The operating system can be, for example, a Microsoft Windows®, Mac OSX®, or Linux®, or operating system, or can be an operating system for asmall device, such as a smart phone or tablet device, or a large device,such as a mainframe computer. The application program can include, forexample, a web browser, web server and/or database server. Applicationfiles 166B can, for example, include user files, database catalogs andconfiguration information. In an implementation, storage 166 includesinstructions to perform the discovery techniques described herein.Storage 166 may comprise one or multiple devices and may utilize one ormore types of storage, such as solid state or magnetic.

The computing device 160 can also include one or more input/outputdevices, such as a network communication unit 168 and interface 176 thatmay have a wired communication component or a wireless communicationscomponent 178, which can be coupled to CPU 162 via bus 171. The networkcommunication unit 168 can utilized any of a variety of standardizednetwork protocols, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, to name a few of manyprotocols, to effect communications between devices. The interface 176can comprise one or more transceiver(s) that utilize the Ethernet, powerline communication (PLC), Wi-Fi, infrared, GPRS/GSM, CDMA, etc.

A user interface 170 can include a display, positional input device(such as a mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, or the like), keyboard, orother forms of user input and output devices. The user interface 170 canbe coupled to the processor 162 via the bus 171. A graphical userinterface (GUI) 170 is specifically a user interface that allows peopleto interact with a device in a graphical. It can be broken down into aninput portion, an output portion, and a processor that manages, process,and interacts with the input and output portions. The input portion canaccept input created by elements such as a mouse, touchpad, touchscreen,or the like. The output portion of a GUI can generate input displayableon some form of a display, such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT), liquidcrystal display (LCD), and light emitting diode (LED) display, such asan organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. The display is generallyformed of a grid of pixels, each of which can take on variousillumination and optionally color values that are grouped together andarranged to form various higher-level entities (in pixel regions) on thedisplay. These pixel regions can make up icons, windows, buttons,cursors, control elements, text, and other displayable entities. Thedisplay utilizes graphical device interface that typically comprises agraphics processor specifically designed to interact with the hardwareof the display, and may accept high-level instructions from otherprocessors to reduce demands on them. The graphical device interfacetypically has its own memory that serves as a buffer and also allowsmanipulation of stored data by the graphics processor. Operation of thedisplay thus typically involves the graphics processor accessinginstructions and data stored memory to modify pixel regions on thedisplay for the user.

Other implementations of the internal configuration or architecture ofclients and servers 160 are also possible. For example, servers may omitdisplay 170. RAM 164 or storage 166 can be distributed across multiplemachines such as network-based memory or memory in multiple machinesperforming the operations of clients or servers. Although depicted hereas a single bus, bus 171 can be composed of multiple buses, that may beconnected to each other through various bridges, controllers, and/oradapters. Computing devices 160 may contain any number of sensors anddetectors that monitor the device 160 itself or the environment aroundthe device 160, or it may contain a location identification unit 172,such as a GPS or other type of location device. The computing device 160may also contain a power source 174, such as a battery, so that the unitcan operate in a self-contained manner. These may communicate with theCPU/processor 162 via the bus 171.

FIG. 2 shows the mandatory state of the art method employed by theClearing Organization for the OEMF Futures Cash Settlement whichtypically is based on either the closing prices on the OEMF Last TradingDate or the opening prices on the next trading date after the OEMF LastTrading Date. The FIG. 2 process is the process performed by asettlement module and is akin to what is used today for cash settlementof Futures Contracts overlying stock index futures. By way of example,consider the cash settlement methodology used to determine the finalcash settlement price of a futures contract as shown in FIG. 2. Assumethat the final date for trading this contract is T and that the priortrading dates before T are T−1, T−2, T−3, etc. It is customary thatfutures Clearing Organizations settle daily profits and losses with theloser paying the winner the change in contract last sale price each dayup to and including T−1. However, on T, the loser pays the winner thedifference between the settlement price on T−1 and the actual value ofthe underlying at the close of business on T. Assume that the futurescontract in this example has a multiplier of 100—that is to say thateach change in price of 1.00 equates to a $100.00 change in the cashvalue of the futures contract. The table below shows overnight paymentsfrom losers to winners each day. The final payment, which covers thechange from T−1 to T comprises the final settlement of the contract.

TABLE 1 Overnight Payments from Losers to Winners LAST SALE PRICE OFACTUAL VALUE USED PAYMENT FUTURES VALUE OF FOR AMOUNT PAID DATE CONTRACTUNDERLYING SETTLEMENT PER CONTACT WHO PAYS WHOM T − 4 501.50 501.26501.50 — — T − 3 506.00 506.21 506.00 450.00 SHORT pays LONG T − 2504.50 504.52 504.50 150.00 LONG pays SHORT T − 1 501.00 500.96 501.00350.00 LONG pays SHORT T 500.25 500.00 500.00 100.00 LONG pays SHORT

Similarly, by way of example, consider the cash settlement methodologyused to determine the final cash settlement price of a futures contractas shown in FIG. 1B. Assume that the final date for trading thiscontract is T, that T+1 is the next trading date after T, and that theprior trading dates before T are T−1, T−2, T−3, and T−4. It is customarythat futures Clearing Organizations settle daily profits and losses withthe loser paying the winner the change in contract last sale price eachday up to and including T. However, on T+1, the loser pays the winnerthe difference between the settlement price on T−1 and the actual valueof the underlying at the opening of business on T−1. Assume that thefutures contract in this example has a multiplier of 100—that is to saythat each change in price of 1.00 equates to a $100.00 change in thecash value of the futures contract. The table below shows overnightpayments from losers to winners each day. The final payment, whichcovers the change from T−1 to T comprises the final settlement of thecontract.

TABLE 2 Overnight Payments from Losers to Winners LAST SALE PRICE OFACTUAL VALUE USED PAYMENT FUTURES VALUE OF FOR AMOUNT PAID DATE CONTRACTUNDERLYING SETTLEMENT PER CONTACT WHO PAYS WHOM T − 4 501.50 501.26501.50 — — T − 3 506.00 506.21 506.00 450.00 SHORT pays LONG T − 2504.50 504.52 504.50 150.00 LONG pays SHORT T − 1 501.00 500.96 501.00350.00 LONG pays SHORT T 500.25 500.00 500.25 75.00 LONG pays SHORT T +1 — 502.50 502.50 250.00 SHORT pays LONG ** On T + 1, the final valuefor settlement is the actual value of the underlying based on openingprices.

Referring back to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the mandatory state ofthe art method employed by the Clearing Organization for the OEMFFutures Cash Settlement 200 begins after the close of trading on theOEMF Last Trading Date of the Futures Contract or after the opening onthe next trading day, when the final settlement price of the valueunderlying the Futures Contract is known by the Clearing Organization.

At 211, the Clearing Organization 120 determines whether the Today'sDate D is this futures contract's last trading date T. If so 211:Yes,processing continues at 213A. Otherwise 211:No, processing continues at212.

At 212, the Clearing Organization 120 sets the current day's settlementprice VALUE_(TODAY) as the current day's Daily Settlement Price (DSP) ofthe OEMF futures contract. This DSP is determined as being: 1) the Lastor Bid price if Bid>Last, or 2) Last or Ask price if Ask<Last.Processing continues at 214.

At 213A, the Clearing Organization 120 determines whether the terms ofthe Futures Contract are based on an Open or Closing time. If Open213A:Open, then the Clearing Organization 120 sets the final settlementprice VALUE_(TODAY) as the current day's OEMF's NAV at the open 213B. IfClose 213A:Close, then the Clearing Organization 120 sets the finalsettlement price VALUE_(TODAY) as the current day's OEMF's NAV at theclose Close 213C. Processing continues at 214.

At 214, the Clearing Organization 120 sets the VALUE_(PRIOR) as theprior day's settlement price. The Clearing Organization has previouslytransferred cash between Holders and Writers reflecting all changes inthe value of the underlying the Futures Contract to reflect that thevalue was VALUE_(PRIOR). Therefore, the only additional cash to flowbetween Holders and Writers will reflect the change in the valueunderlying the Futures Contract which occurred most recently. Processingcontinues at 215.

At 215, the Clearing Organization 120 calculates the change in the valueunderlying the Futures Contract which occurred between the prior tradingdate and the current trading date to be:VALUE_(CHANGE)−VALUE_(TODAY)VALUE_(PRIOR)Processing continues at 216.

At 216, for each long OEMF Futures Contract in each account held by theClearing Organization 120, the cash balance in the account is adjustedby 100 (or the appropriate multiplier/contract count) times theVALUE_(CHANGE) to reflect the change for each long OEMF Futures Contractin the account. If VALUE_(CHANGE) is greater than zero—reflecting anincrease in the value of the OEMF Futures Contract from the priortrading day, then the cash balance in the account will be increased. IfVALUE_(CHANGE) is less than zero—reflecting a reduction in the value ofthe OEMF Futures Contract from the prior trading day, then the cashbalance in the account will be decreased. If VALUE_(CHANGE) equalszero—reflecting no change in the value of the OEMF Futures Contract fromthe prior trading day, then the cash balance in the accounts will notchange. Processing continues at 217.

At 217, for each short OEMF Futures Contract in each account held by theClearing Organization 120, the cash balance in the account is adjustedby 100 (or the appropriate multiplier/contract count) timesVALUE_(CHANGE) to reflect the change for each short OEMF FuturesContract in the account. If VALUE_(CHANGE) is greater thanzero—reflecting an increase in the value of the OEMF Futures Contractfrom the prior trading day, then the cash balance in the account will bedecreased. If VALUE_(CHANGE) is less than zero—reflecting a reduction inthe value of the OEMF Futures Contract from the prior trading day, thenthe cash balance in the account will be increased. If VALUE_(CHANGE)equals zero—reflecting no change the value of the OEMF Futures Contractfrom the prior trading day, then the cash balance in the account willnot change. Processing continues at 220.

At 220, the Clearing Organization 120 again determines if Today's date Dis the Settlement Date T of the Futures Contract. If not 220:No, thenthe process 200 ends. If so 220:Yes, then at 226, for each long OEMFutures Contract in each account, the Clearing Organization 120 reducesthe long position by one Futures Contract. Processing continues at 227.

At 227, the Clearing Organization 120 for each short OEMF FuturesContract in each account, the Clearing Organization 120 reduces theshort position by one Futures Contract.

This completes the Clearing Organization's processing of the OEMFFutures Contract Cash Settlement on the OEMF Last Trading Date.

FIG. 3 illustrates the process 300 of a physical settlement requestmodule and is an election request for optional OEMF Futures PhysicalSettlement on receipt of that election request from a Holder of a longposition in OEMF Futures Contracts and shows the method and process bywhich the Holder of an OEMF Futures Contracts may independently requestthe Clearing Organization to execute the optional OEMF Futures PhysicalSettlement prior to the Cutoff Time to Elect Optional PhysicalSettlement on the Cutoff Date to Elect Optional Physical Settlement.This process is the prerequisite to the Clearing Organization executingthe optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement prior to the Cutoff Timeto Elect Optional Physical Settlement on the Cutoff Date to ElectOptional Physical Settlement.

This process begins when a Clearing Member sends a message from itssystem 101 to a Clearing Organization system 131 through the ClearingOrganization's 120 Communication Network 121. The election requestmessage identifies the requesting Clearing Member, the account for whichthe request is being made, the OEMF Futures Contract for which therequest is being made, and the number of OEMF shares which arerequesting optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement. Processing beginsfor process 300 where the election request is received.

At 301 the Clearing Organization 120 receives and examines the electionrequest for optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement. The ClearingOrganization notes that the election request involves X_(REQUEST) OEMFshares. The OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process permits the Holderof a long position to purchase 100 shares for each long OEMF FuturesContract held at the close of trading on the OEMF Futures Last TradingDate plus an additional oddlot quantity—including fractional OEMF shares(if holding of fractional OEMF shares is supported by the InvestmentCompany which manages the OEMF). The oddlot amount, including anyfractional shares, must be less than a 100 share round lot. Processingcontinues at 302.

At 302 the Clearing Organization 120 determines whether the current dateis the Cutoff Date to Elect Optional Physical Settlement for the OEMFFutures Contract which is the subject of the election request. Electionrequests may only be submitted on the Cutoff Date to Elect OptionalPhysical Settlement. If the current date is not the Cutoff Date to ElectOptional Physical Settlement 302:No, then the election request ispremature, and processing continues at 304. Otherwise 302:Yes,processing continues at 303.

At 303 the Clearing Organization 120 determines whether the OEMF FuturesPhysical Settlement Deadline has passed. This occurs if the current timeis at or after the Cutoff Time to Elect Optional Physical Settlement. Ifthe deadline has passed 303:Yes, then the election request is untimely,and processing continues at 304. Otherwise 303:No, processing continuesat 307.

At 304 the election request is untimely; it is either not on the CutoffDate to Elect Optional Physical Settlement or it has been submittedafter the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement Deadline has passed. TheClearing Organization rejects the election request. Rejection of theelection request is communicated to the Clearing Member which submittedthe election request. This is the end of processing of this electionrequest.

At this point, the Clearing Organization 120 has determined that theelection request is for a valid OEMF Futures Contract and has beensubmitted in a timely manner. Processing continues at 307. Any priorelection request from the same Clearing Member 101 on behalf of the sameaccount for the same OEMF Futures Contract will be replaced by thissubsequent request. An election request for zero OEMF shares will resultin cancelling the prior election request. An election request from thesame Clearing Member 101 on behalf of the same account for the same OEMFFutures Contract as a Holder of OEMF Futures Contracts (i.e., someonewith a long position in OEMF Futures Contracts) will replace any priorrequest by the same Clearing Member 101 on behalf of the same accountfor the same OEMF Futures Contract by a Writer of OEMF Futures Contracts(i.e., someone with a short position in OEMF Futures Contracts).Acceptance of the election request is communicated to the ClearingMember 101 which submitted the election request. This is the end ofprocessing of this election request.

FIG. 4 shows the method and process 400 of a physical settlement moduleby which the Clearing Organization 120 processes requests to execute theoptional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement after the Cutoff Time to ElectOptional Physical Settlement on the Cutoff Date to Elect OptionalPhysical Settlement and illustrates the processing of an electionrequest for optional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement from a Holder of along position in OEMF Futures Contracts which was previously receivedand accepted by the Clearing Organization (see FIG. 3). This processingis done after the Cutoff Time to Elect Optional Physical Settlement onthe Cutoff Date to Elect Optional Physical Settlement because theHolder's final position is required. The process 400 begins when thiscondition has been met.

At 401 the Clearing Organization 120 checks to make sure that the Holderwhich requested OEMF Futures Physical Settlement still has a longposition in OEMF Futures Contracts. This was the case when the electionrequest was accepted by the Clearing Organization 120 (see FIG. 3) andmust continue to be the case to proceed. If this is still the case(i.e., the Holder's position is at least one) 401:Yes, processingcontinues at 402A. Otherwise 401:No, processing continues at 402.

At 402 the Holder which requested OEMF Futures Physical Settlement nolonger has a long position in OEMF Futures Contracts. OEMF FuturesPhysical Settlement is not permitted in this case, so the electionrequest is ignored and the Clearing Member 101 is notified that no OEMFFutures Physical Settlement will be effected by the ClearingOrganization 120. Processing is now complete.

At 402A, the Holder's request is reduced to the lesser of the requestand the current position, which permits the Holder to have physicalsettlement of all of the Holder's long position even if the currentposition is less than the request. At 403, the Clearing Organization 120must now calculate how many OEMF shares should be processed in responseto the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement request. The election requestprovides the number of OEMF shares that the Holder requests be exchangedthrough the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process. Assume that thisnumber (X_(REQUEST)) is 5463.123. Fractional shares are permitted to theextent that the Investment Company permits ownership of fractionalshares. X_(REQUEST) has two components: a mandatory round lot componentand an optional odd lot component. The round lot component is an integermultiple 100 shares—the number of OEMF shares underlying each OEMFFutures Contract. The odd lot component is an additional number of OEMFshares—less than OEMF 100 shares—which, when added to the round lotcomponent, total X_(REQUEST). In the example above, the election requestspecified a value of X_(REQUEST) of 5463.12 OEMF shares. The round lotcomponent is 5400 OEMF shares (the equivalent of 54 OEMF FuturesContracts) and the odd lot component is 63.12 OEMF shares. The maximumnumber of shares which the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process mayhandle—X_(FINAL)—is the number of OEMF shares covered by the Holder'sfinal long position in OEMF Futures Contract—the position at thistime—plus the odd lot component. Assuming thatX_(REQUEST)=5463.12

The following table shows X_(FINAL) for various values of the Holder'slong position in OEMF Futures Contracts at this time.

TABLE 3 X_(FINAL) for various values of the Holder's long position inOEMF Futures Contracts at this time Holder's long position at This TimeX_(FINAL) 58 5463.12 57 5463.12 56 5463.12 55 5463.12 54 5463.12 535363.12 52 5263.12 51 5163.12 . . . . . . 1 1.12 0 0

X_(FINAL) is calculated in this manner at this point in the process, andprocessing continues at 404.

At 404 the Clearing Organization 120 sends an order on behalf of theHolder to redeem XFINAL OEMF shares to the Investment Company 151. TheInvestment Company 151 will process this order as part of its normalprocessing of purchase and redemption orders at the end of the tradingday when the Investment Company 151 has calculated the current day's NAVfor the OEMF shares. The Investment Company 151 will send the finaldetails of the purchase transaction to the Holder's Clearing Member 101by way of the Clearing Organization 120. Processing continues at 405.

At 405 the Clearing Organization informs the Holder's Clearing Member ofthe order sent at 404. Processing of submission of the order is completeat this time. The settlement of the transaction shall proceed at anothertime using state of the art systems and methods already used for thispurpose.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, but relate to a Writer'sshort position, versus a Holder's long position.

FIG. 5 illustrates the processing of an election request for optionalOEMF Futures Physical Settlement on receipt of that election requestfrom a Writer of a short position in OEMF Futures Contracts. It showsthe method and process by which the Writer of an OEMF Futures Contractsmay independently request the Clearing Organization to execute theoptional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement prior to the Cutoff Time toElect Optional Physical Settlement on the OEMF Last Trading Date. Thisprocess is the prerequisite to the Clearing Organization executing theoptional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement prior to the Cutoff Time toElect Optional Physical Settlement on the OEMF Last Trading Date. Thisprocess 500 begins when a Clearing Member 101 sends a message from itssystem to a Clearing Organization system 120 through the ClearingOrganization's Communication Network 121. The election request messageidentifies the requesting Clearing Member, the account for which therequest is being made, the OEMF Futures Contract for which the requestis being made, and the number of OEMF shares which are requestingoptional OEMF Futures Physical Settlement. The process 500 begins wherethe election request is received.

At 501 the Clearing Organization 120 receives and examines the electionrequest for optional OEMF Futures Physical. Settlement. The ClearingOrganization 120 notes that the election request involves X_(REQUEST)OEMF shares. The OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process permits theWriter of a short position to redeem 100 shares for each short OEMFFutures Contract held at the close of trading on the OEMF Futures LastTrading Date plus an additional oddlot quantity—including fractionalOEMF shares (if holding of fractional OEMF shares is supported by theInvestment Company which manages the OEMF). The oddlot amount, includingany fractional shares, must be less than a 100 share round lot.Processing continues at 502.

At 502 the Clearing Organization 120 determines whether the current dateis the Cutoff Date to Elect Optional Physical Settlement for the OEMFFutures Contract which is the subject of the election request. Electionrequests may only be submitted on the Cutoff Date to Elect OptionalPhysical Settlement. If the current date is not the Cutoff Date to ElectOptional Physical Settlement 502:No, then the election request ispremature, and processing continues at 504. Otherwise 502:Yes,processing continues at 503.

At 503 the Clearing Organization 120 determines whether the OEMF FuturesPhysical Settlement Deadline has passed. This occurs if the current timeis at or after the Cutoff Time to Elect Optional Physical Settlement. Ifthe deadline has passed 503:Yes, then the election request is untimely,and processing continues at 504. Otherwise 503:No, processing continuesat 507.

At 504 the election request is untimely; it is either not on the CutoffDate to Elect Optional Physical Settlement or it has been submittedafter the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement Deadline has passed. TheClearing Organization rejects the election request. Rejection of theelection request is communicated to the Clearing Member which submittedthe election request. This is the end of processing of this electionrequest.

At this point, the Clearing Organization 120 has determined that theelection request is for a valid OEMF Futures Contract and has beensubmitted in a timely manner. Processing continues at 507. Any priorelection request from the same Clearing Member 101 on behalf of the sameaccount for the same OEMF Futures Contract will be replaced by thissubsequent request. An election request for zero OEMF shares will resultin cancelling the prior election request. An election request from thesame Clearing Member on behalf of the same account for the same OEMFFutures Contract by a Holder of OEMF Futures Contracts (i.e., someonewith a short position in OEMF Futures Contracts) will replace any aprior request by the same Clearing Member on behalf of the same accountfor the same OEMF Futures Contract by a Holder of OEMF Futures Contracts(i.e., someone with a long position in OEMF Futures Contracts).Acceptance of the election request is communicated to the ClearingMember which submitted the election request. This is the end ofprocessing of an election request.

FIG. 6 shows the method and process 600 by which the ClearingOrganization 120 processes requests to execute the optional OEMF FuturesPhysical Settlement after the Cutoff Time to Elect Optional PhysicalSettlement on the Cutoff Date to Elect Optional Physical Settlement andillustrates the processing of an election request for optional OEMFFutures Physical Settlement from a Holder of a long position in OEMFFutures Contracts which was previously received and accepted by theClearing Organization (see FIG. 5). This processing is done after theCutoff Time to Elect Optional Physical Settlement on the Cutoff Date toElect Optional Physical Settlement because the Holder's final positionis required. Processing begins at 600 when this condition has been met.

At 601 the Clearing Organization checks to make sure that the Writerwhich requested OEMF Futures Physical Settlement still has a shortposition in OEMF Futures Contracts. This was the case when the electionrequest was accepted by the Clearing Organization (see FIG. 5) and mustcontinue to be the case to proceed. If this is still the case,processing continues at 603. Otherwise processing continues at 602.

At 602 the Writer which requested OEMF Futures Physical Settlement nolonger has a short position in OEMF Futures Contracts. OEMF FuturesPhysical Settlement is not permitted in this case, so the electionrequest is ignored and the Clearing Member 101 is notified that no OEMFFutures Physical Settlement will be effected by the ClearingOrganization 102. Processing is now complete.

At 602A, the Writer's request is reduced to the lesser of the requestand the current position which permits the Write to have physicalsettlement of all of the Writer's short position even if the currentposition is less than the request. At 603 the Writer continues to have ashort position in OEMF Futures Contracts. The Clearing Organization 120must now calculate how many OEMF shares should be processed in responseto the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement request. The election requestprovides the number of OEMF shares that the Writer requests be exchangedthrough the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process. Assume that thisnumber (X_(REQUEST)) is 7678.321. Fractional shares are permitted to theextent that the Investment Company permits ownership of fractionalshares. X_(REQUEST) has two components a mandatory round lot componentand an optional odd lot component. The round lot component is an integermultiple 100 shares—the number of OEMF shares underlying each OEMFFutures Contract. The odd lot component is an additional number of OEMFshares—less than OEMF 100 shares—which, when added to the round lotcomponent, total X_(REQUEST). In the example above, the election requestspecified a value of X_(REQUEST) of 7678.321 OEMF shares. The round lotcomponent is 7600 OEMF shares (the equivalent of 76 OEMF FuturesContracts) and the odd lot component is 78.321 OEMF shares. The maximumnumber of shares which the OEMF Futures Physical Settlement process mayhandle—X_(FINAL)—is the number of OEMF shares covered by the Writer'sfinal short position in OEMF Futures Contract—the position at thistime—plus the odd lot component. Assuming thatX_(REQUEST)=7678.321

The following table shows X_(FINAL) for various values of the Writer'sshort position in OEMF Futures Contracts at this time.

TABLE 4 X_(FINAL) for various values of the Writer's short position inOEMF Futures Contracts at this time Writer's Short Position at This TimeX_(FINAL) 80 7678.321 79 7678.321 78 7678.321 77 7678.321 76 7678.321 757578.321 74 7478.321 73 7378.321 . . . . . .  1 1.321

X_(FINAL) is calculated in this manner at this point in the process, andprocessing continues at 604.

At 604 the Clearing Organization sends an order on behalf of the Writerto redeem X_(FINAL) OEMF shares to the Investment Company. TheInvestment Company will process this order as part of its normalprocessing of purchase and redemption orders at the end of the tradingday when the Investment Company has calculated the current day's NAV forthe OEMF shares. The Investment Company will send the final details ofthe purchase transaction to the Writer's Clearing Member by way of theClearing Organization. Processing continues at 605.

At 605 the Clearing Organization informs the Writer's Clearing Member ofthe order sent at 604. Processing of the submission of the order iscomplete at this time. The settlement of the transaction can proceed atanother time using state of the art systems and methods already used forthis purpose.

The system or systems described herein may be implemented on any form ofcomputer or computers and the components may be implemented as dedicatedapplications or in client-server architectures, including a web-basedarchitecture, and can include functional programs, codes, and codesegments. Any of the computers may comprise a processor, a memory forstoring program data and executing it, a permanent storage such as adisk drive, a communications port for handling communications withexternal devices, and user interface devices, including a display,keyboard, mouse, etc. When software modules are involved, these softwaremodules may be stored as program instructions or computer readable codesexecutable on the processor on a computer-readable media such asread-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetictapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computerreadable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupledcomputer systems so that the computer readable code is stored andexecuted in a distributed fashion. This media is readable by thecomputer, stored in the memory, and executed by the processor.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedas incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference has been made to the preferred embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used todescribe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of theinvention is intended by this specific language, and the inventionshould be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normallyoccur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The embodiments herein may be described in terms of functional blockcomponents and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may berealized by any number of hardware and/or software components thatperform the specified functions. For example, the described embodimentsmay employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements,processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, whichmay carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elementsof the described embodiments are implemented using software programmingor software elements the invention may be implemented with anyprogramming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, orthe like, with the various algorithms being implemented with anycombination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or otherprogramming elements. Functional aspects may be implemented inalgorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, theembodiments of the invention could employ any number of conventionaltechniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/orcontrol, data processing and the like. The words “mechanism” and“element” are used broadly and are not limited to mechanical or physicalembodiments, but can include software routines in conjunction withprocessors, etc.

The particular implementations shown and described herein areillustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwiselimit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity,conventional electronics, control systems, software development andother functional aspects of the systems (and components of theindividual operating components of the systems) may not be described indetail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in thevarious figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functionalrelationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the variouselements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships, physical connections or logical connectionsmay be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component isessential to the practice of the invention unless the element isspecifically described as “essential” or “critical”.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereofherein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limitedotherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled”and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct andindirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further,“connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanicalconnections or couplings. Expressions such as “at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) should be construed to cover both the singular and theplural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merelyintended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually toeach separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicatedherein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specificationas if it were individually recited herein. Finally, the steps of allmethods described herein are performable in any suitable order unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. Numerous modifications and adaptations will bereadily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for operating an enhancedelectronic networked settlement process, comprising: a member computerassociated with an account, said member computer comprising a displayand a graphical user interface (GUI); and one or more servers incommunication with the member computer, said one or more serverscomprising: a computer system processor; a memory; a communicationnetwork interface; a settlement module comprising instructions stored inthe memory and executable by the processor; a physical settlementrequest module comprising instructions stored in the memory andexecutable by the processor; and a physical settlement module; whereinthe member computer receives user input via the GUI on said display,generates an electronic message based on said user input, and transmitssaid electronic message over a network to the one or more servers, andwherein the physical settlement module comprises instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the one or more servers to: create and store open endedmutual fund (OEMF) data related to an OEMF in the memory communicativelycoupled with a network interface, the stored OEMF data structured tocomprise data related to fund assets and a plurality of fund shareshaving a value related to the fund assets; create and store OEMF futurescontract (FC) data related to an OEMF FC in the memory, the OEMF FC datadefining: a) a plurality of contract shares of the fund shares; b) acontract settlement date; and c) contract settlement terms; the systemexecuting further instructions to: receive, via the communicationsnetwork interface, the electronic message from the member computer, saidelectronic message comprising a request for an election for an optionalOEMF FC physical settlement (PS) of a requested number of contractshares, said requested number of contract shares defining a finalposition; determine, by the physical settlement request module, whetherthe electronic message is timely; and determine, by the physicalsettlement module, whether the requested number of contract sharesdefining the final position is within a predetermined maximum number ofcontract shares, wherein if the electronic message is determined to betimely and the requested number of contract shares defining the finalposition is determined to be within the predetermined maximum number ofcontract shares, the physical settlement module executes furtherinstructions to cause the system to: generate and send an electronicorder to redeem the requested number of contract shares defining thefinal position to an investment company computer system, and generateand send information relating to the electronic order to redeem to themember computer, said member computer displaying the informationrelating to the electronic order to redeem on the display via the GUI;otherwise, if the electronic message is determined to be untimely or therequested number of contract shares defining the final position isdetermined to be greater than the predetermined maximum number ofcontract shares, then at least one of: ignore the election request forthe optional OEMF FC PS and terminate the election request; or send amessage to the member computer rejecting the election request andterminate the election request, said message being displayed on themember computer display via the GUI.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinwhen the electronic message is determined to be timely, the physicalsettlement request module executes instructions to cause the one or moreservers to: accept the request for the election which supersedes anyprior election request for a same OEMF FC for the account.
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein when the requested number of contract sharesdefining the final position is determined to be within the predeterminedmaximum number of contract shares, the physical settlement moduleexecutes instructions to cause the one or more servers to: reduce a sizeof the requested number of shares if said size is larger than a size ofa current position; and compute a maximum number of shares that the OEMFFC PS may handle as the requested number of contract shares defining thefinal position covered by the final position in the OEMF FC.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the final position comprises a long position.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the account is associated with awriter and the final position comprises a short position.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the requested number of shares accommodates both amandatory round lot component and an optional odd lot component.